It had already been weeks since the largest concentrated number of criminals in Libretãnhya had died in a single night. The witnesses had not only seen a minimal "portion" of everything, but had also seen the Theatrical Killer himself who, according to the descriptions, is a man with short hair and bright eyes. Nothing more, nothing less.
The forensic teams had worked tirelessly since the case began, but no evidence had surfaced about who the subject was. The closest thing they had was a small clean area, revealing the possible killer's position after the entire attack. As for the rest, all the blood, all the torn skin and every strand of hair obtained yielded only invalid results.
In the end, there was nothing left to do but wait. What was understood was that the Theatrical Killer was about to put an end to his career as the top name on assassination contract sites, and as that terrible monster who walked among people. After all, in all the time he had committed his acts, he had never revealed a single centimeter of his identity. Why would he reveal it, so consciously? They still had not arrived at an answer.
With that, the television turned off.
A breath left Slady's nose as she set the remote on the arm of the sofa. Stretching her legs over the furniture, she arched her back, reading the time on the clock above the television with one eye. Seven o'clock.
Her mouth was opening into a yawn when the door opened. Shaphira came out rubbing her eyes, giving a good morning with a short smile. Elisa too, but quieter.
The two sat at the table, bringing their steaming cups to their lips. Shaphira drank with her eyes closed. Elisa, however, stared at Slady from the corner of her eyes. She returned the look with a smile curved a bit too much. What did she intend to do that day?
Routine missions, she would be home by noon. And Shaphira? The older girl grumbled, some tedious missions tracking down Renkata, but she'd try to get back as fast as possible to enjoy the day! Slady's smile widened, she was more than excited to spend a pleasant day with them.
After they left, Slady rubbed her messy hair, adjusted her short pants and tank top, sat in her chair, spun it, and propped her legs on the counter. Deliveries today? Please, let there be none.
Seeing there was no notification, she let out a little shriek, falling along with the chair.
In her room, she set aside a simple outfit, a dress and underwear. She sighed, but swallowed hard and went to the bathroom. In the shower, she closed her eyes, lifting her chin, hot water sliding over all her skin. Hidden beneath the steam, she looked at herself in the mirror...
The veins of her body pulsed, reddened. And her heart... visible beneath the skin, drawn by that same red glow. Marks resembling claws ran from her torso to her collarbones, descending to her hips, as defined as the rest of her rigid body structure.
Then, Slady laughed, just laughed.
Already dressed in the delicate fabric, Slady threw herself onto the bed, covering her face. Suddenly, from below upward, a scream rose, along with the flow of a transparent liquid running from her eyes.
***
The library doors were open. The signs already communicated it. People were already coming in.
Some couples, men and women, along with their children, showed her children's storybooks. Individuals with more charming, intellectual clothing came to her desk with theoretical books. Others, more mundane in appearance, only showed her common books, like traditional novels.
But, among these people, one appeared who made Slady raise her eyebrows.
It was a young woman Slady already knew a bit better. A somber appearance emanated from her being, with deep circles under her eyes and a body not very physically active. Her clothes, mundane, told her she had not come as a police officer, but as Rin Yuang.
She handed her a highly acclaimed fantasy work from the Old Society. This was what she wished to read. Slady, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers, said she knows she didn't come to pick up a novel. Ah, she picked it up, congratulations. Could they talk alone? Slady nodded, she just needed to wait a little, people would be leaving soon. Rin shook her head and headed to the table, opening the book, but not turning the pages.
Little by little, the library emptied out. Slady looked around, flipped the sign once more, closed the doors. Seeing her still holding the book, her spine bent forward in a hunched position, she approached and touched her shoulder, making Rin startle. Did she want some coffee? No... she had drunk too much wine the night before.
Where's the hangover, then? She didn't know, she just wanted... whatever, she just wanted to vent. Slady nodded and went to the kitchen, turning on the coffee machine. With the sound of black drops hitting the bottom of the pot.
Burying her fingers in her hair, Rin Yuang sighed, where could she even begin? Shaking her head, she turned to Slady. The case... the damn case, as she'd said, was draining so much of her energy. The factors, the scenes... ah, how could a mind handle it?
Slady returned the connection, how could one really handle it? It's a very complicated case, the police no longer dealing with just any criminal, but with someone more powerful, smarter, among other things. They would probably only catch him if he wanted to be caught.
Rin Yuang agreed, and why would they keep hunting him? She leaned in, whispering, saying she'd never seen so much "peace" after the massacre. You know, they only want to control the population, especially the "leader."
"Leader"? The government. They need these criminals. They are a source of chaos and a lot of money. Slady probably knew her boss, Rinoto. He's not corrupt, he's just a piece in this unfortunate game, where nobody wins, only the "house."
Slady lowered her gaze, listening to the agent's voice grow quieter, more bitter, more melancholic. All of this is, simply put, exhausting. Why spend nights after someone who eliminates the source of problems? Is it only this government that feeds on this evil? Slady asked, turning her neck.
Everyone. Everyone needs evil. Evil is a source of pain and of strength.
Slady laughed, resting her elbow on the counter, already pouring herself coffee. So bad things, like Inferius, human wickedness, Renkai Creatures, Destroyers... among other plagues, are good things?
In a way, yes.
Slady raised an eyebrow, was she thinking too much?
Maybe, but when you can't give your mind a rest, you start seeing what lies deepest in things, you start seeing the invisible. Slady was a librarian, surrounded by knowledge, shouldn't she have reached a similar conclusion? Probably she had. In her view, good and evil don't exist, they're just "maps" of what humans want humans to do or not do.
What does she mean, that people who kill others are the same as those who save them? No, not from her own perspective. They're more like... plagues. Think of a cockroach, it's not necessarily evil, but it brings disease. Like killers, they only follow the human instinct to seek pleasure. The only difference is that one, in fact, has no choice, the other does.
And her, Slady, how does she see herself? As a plague or a beneficial animal? A cockroach or a bee?
What an interesting question. She'd be more like a... worm, the kind that only consumes, bringing neither benefit nor harm.
The answer drew a laugh from Rin Yuang, they're really overthinking this. Standing up, Rin let out a yawn, thanking her for the attention before taking her leave. Slady merely nodded. However, she turned and called her once more. What did she want?
She has a friend, a very dear one, but he's been a little... strange. She'll recommend her to him, could Slady also... clarify a few things? About what, exactly?
About the case.
Of course, she could. With that, Slady waved to the officer, who left.
Alone, Slady lifted just one corner of her lips. It's best to be careful about these matters from now on.
***
Lying on her sofa, her clothes scattered around her. Resting her arms behind her neck, she lifted her legs up, swinging them. She let out laughs watching the fabric of her skirt slide, showing her toned thighs. Eh, the training was worth it, this body is too good.
Suddenly, the door opened. Elisa greeted her in a monotone tone. Slady turned, legs still swinging behind her. Why was she acting like that? She was just tired.
Without saying anything more, she set her sword down in the corner of the house and went up to her room, closing the door. Slady furrowed her brow and sat up. She stared at her bare feet for a moment before going up there.
Upon entering, her pants were on the floor. Elisa was lying on the bed, covering her eyes with her arm. What did she want? Well, she felt Elisa needed something. No, she needed nothing. She wasn't a child anymore. After she said that, Elisa turned her back.
Slady crossed her arms, true, she's no longer an innocent young girl, but she's still not an adult. So she could talk to her, trust her.
... No, she couldn't.
Slady felt as if a hand had squeezed her heart, letting out a groan and pressing her palm to her chest. What do you mean, she couldn't? Had she done something to upset her?
...
She clenched her fists, turning toward the bedroom door, ready to listen to what she wanted to say. Suddenly, Elisa sat up, a simple black shirt covering her.
Did she drug everyone on the day the mass killing happened?
Slady stopped. No. What would make her think that? She'd slept in that very house.
Really, there's no proof against it. And even the context itself helps, everyone was tired, just eating that food with so many nutrients could exhaust anyone. But, even so, it wasn't natural. On top of that, after that day, she started acting strange. Laughing, crying in secret, as if something had happened.
Already on her feet, pants on, Elisa looked down. It hurts so much to try to imagine the possibility that the person she trusted most after her father is a monster. But she isn't helping at all to prove herself innocent. So, if there's something to tell, let it be now. It'll stay just between them, no one will know...
... And even if it's dark, she'll try to help her escape that darkness.
Slady watched Elisa's hands take hold of hers, a brief smile on the younger girl making her eyes widen. It's been so long since she's seen that. Squeezing her fingers back, Slady lowered her head, her hair hiding a smile full of teeth whose lips nearly tore, her shoulders trembling.
She... she has something to say.
Releasing her hands, Slady licked the corner of her lips and took a deep breath, walked to the back of the room, near a mirror. For a moment, her fingers caressed the fabric of her dress. Finally, she opened her neckline and let the fabric fall to her waist.
Elisa's eyes widened.
The dark marks wrapped around her waist and hips almost completely, like a living creature devouring her from the inside out. Covering her chest, Slady partially turned her head.
With that, she told her everything.
About what happened. About the surgery. About the consequences of it.
Covering herself again, Slady turned. If she suspects her, she understands, her actions were strange, like the night the Theatrical Killer acted, coincidentally, the night Slady had made a dinner everyone fell asleep from. Yes, she put drugs in it, she was weakened, in pain, didn't want them to know. She just wanted to recover from all that pain that, on that day, had become unbearable.
So she apologized if it had been inconvenient, but she saw no other choice. And she also asked, eyes filled with tears, that Elisa never tell anyone about this. It was already enough, what had happened to her, and now with the surgery, she didn't want anyone else to worry about her.
Elisa didn't wait for her to finish speaking, it was their secret, yes. Hugging Slady, hiding her face against her chest, she apologized for having caused her this trouble. Letting her settle against her bust, she shook her head, stroking the younger girl's hair. It wasn't a problem, she would find a cure, until then, she would manage to keep the Renkai Energy from taking over her being.
After a while of silence, Slady still held Elisa close. The young girl, heart racing against her, tried to wipe her face against her skin. Thanking her for telling her that...
Elisa loved her.
And Slady loved her too.
Then, once more, silence filled the room.
***
In a café, Slady adjusted her dress, now more closed. Elisa stood in front of her, a sigh leaving her mouth. Now the exchange of glances held no evasion or lack of shine, nor too much shine.
The two watched the city. The sun headed toward the horizon, turning the sky orange. From afar, the hooded figure arrived with swift steps. Finally free! Elisa gave a more open smile. Slady closed her eyes, but soon opened them again, giving a brief smile and offering a seat.
Words flowed meaninglessly through the air. The routine, opinions about work, even Slady's silence seemed meaningless, her fingers interlacing as she watched them. Every now and then, while talking with Shaphira, Elisa stared at her for moments from the corner of her eyes.
Resting her mouth between her fingers, she felt her heart beat slowly. Why did she feel lighter, despite what she'd done? Revealing the truth should have left her exposed, and it did, but strangely, it was only momentary.
In that conversation, with those people, the fact simply stopped mattering. Acceptance was always a recurring subject among the communities. The two seemed to understand that no matter what happened to Slady, no matter what fate had in store...
Her heart would always beat for them, only for them.
***
In the following hours, the sun was no longer master of the sky. The library was dark. Seated on a bench, Slady read the clock, it was the last weekday before the weekend. She sighed, settling in, arms spread open.
There weren't many people on the street, the city was still bright. When she closed her eyes, a white mist took over everything before she could notice.
When she looked again, she was in an endless white space. In front of her, there was a sanctuary. It was open, with wooden pillars supporting a stone roof. At the center, there was a woman in a white tunic, floating, her hair... strangely whiter, the black of her strands less evident.
She lifted her chin, what did she want? Slady sat beside her, seeing her bare back, the shoulder blades slightly larger than the last time she'd seen her. What had happened? Truth shrugged, maybe the Renkai Energy she'd inserted into HER body was affecting her spirit too.
She should stop dwelling on it, it had already happened and nothing would change it. Truth sighed, indeed. So, what did she want, invading her palace? Nothing, she just wanted to be there.
With the conversation finished, Truth turned her neck, observing the vast infinity of the white domain.
A second passed. A minute. An hour?... suddenly, Truth said she'd seen what she did to Elisa. For someone who loves her, using the emotions of a girl who admires her so much is very dirty. It really is. But she couldn't avoid it, or she would discover something much dirtier.
So, really, does she want to end all of this? Leave this life of assassination? It seems like she's really trying to find the perfect path to that. Still, isn't killing so many men enough to leave her mark on the world?
No, she needed to find someone to place the weight of her life upon. An innocent? Never. Someone who's already bad, who's already headed to the bottom of the pit.
Does that mean she's going to destroy someone's life before she acts herself?
Depending on your point of view, yes.
Slady stood up and walked to where she was. Once more, Truth's voice echoed, she hoped very much that it was the Renkai Energy affecting her mind.
From Slady's face, a transparent liquid trickled down. She wished for that too.
Suddenly, the infinite domain shattered, revealing once more the starry sky, dark and endless. In front of her, there was a man. His dark clothes hid, beneath a black cap, a lightless gaze, full of dark circles and a face devoid of expression.
Was she the one her friend had spoken of, Slady?
Was he the one who was this friend's dear friend, Roger Trager?